I think you bring up some great points, however unlike football where 3 QB's are competing for one starting job, businesses often have many positions that are up for grabs. If your point is that CEO' or at the very least sr. mgmt (VP's/Sr. V.P.'s) are clogging up the pipeline by not stepping down or twighlighting in less prestigious positions- I agree with you completely.
Where I have a different point of view is overall opportunity of gen-y. In my own organization, despite a difficult economy, salary and hiring freezes et al., there has never been a greater opportunity for the next generation to step up and fill bigger and more strategic roles. In fact we encourage this and it's vital to our long term strategy (yes we actually look beyond the next quarterly projections)...There is no entitlement, you have to seize opportunities when they present themselves, whether that be volunteering for a project or staying late to help a collegue finish a presentation etc...These scenarios can be played out in any environment not just my own...It's easy to say no one got out of my way to allow me to fill their role, its much harder to push thru and take what you desire. To leave you with a football analogy look no further then Tom Brady or Kurt Warner, both were never on Mel Kiper's top QB draft lists, one a 6th rounder out of Michigan and the other an Indoor football league veteran...they seized opportunities and won championships...both took advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself...
My advice is to do the same!
M

One of the best ways I've seen this situation handled is to be the "get 'er done" employee. If you have older leaders who pretty much are figureheads and probably harm more than help, be the Do-er behind the scenes. You won't get the glory upfront, but usually all you need is one royal $&Y% up from the figurehead, and you're gold. Being a Do-er and not asking for glory starts looking good to the other leaders. You get exposure, become part of the inner circle, and have the opportunity to move up. Also, get a champion on your side. This person doesn't have to pave the way for you (you should do that yourself), but if someone says "Bill did a great job on that project," your champion will day, "Well, I actually know that Brad was putting in hard time with the vendor to get us that great deal. I can't wait to see what else he comes up with."

But there are companies who already see that non-productive executives who are expensive wastes of space can't help during a down economy. There are some who are cleaning house at the top. Sadly, Xers and Yers stepping up may not see financial benefits, but experience always pays off.

Jason hits the nail on the head.

"It's the economy stupid."

The hits that many boomers took on their retirement funds alone is enough motivation for these workers to remain working for another three to five years as an economic necessity.

It is not selfish to ensure a comfortable retirement. The impact on GenY is actually beneficial. The more boomers that have financial security at retirement means that GenY will not have to commit so much to the social safety net to support boomers who lack the cash to fund health insurance supplemental to Medicare for example. Secure boomers also will not need to apply political pressure to demand higher Social Security payments. The list goes on and on.

Now I also think that fresh college grads can be had much cheaper by employers than someone with a forty year long resume. I do think companies will choose to cut payroll wherever they can. But companies in this time will also be reluctant to hire GenY folk who demand too much work/life flexibility and may not be willing to commit to the work at the same level boomers have. Turnover is far more expensive than stability in positions.

What this all means for GenY is that they will have to do what my generation did during the deep recession of thirty years ago - put your pride aside, get work wherever you can. At the end of the day that is a better measure of commitment than waiting in the parents' basement for the dream job to come to you. Gotta pay your dues.

As much as I'm a Gen Y and I would love more opportunities for growth for people of my generation, I have to agree with what Favre has done and with what other executives are doing. After all, if he's good enough and capable of performing at that high of a level then why should he retire? Just because others think he should? That doesn't seem right. And I'm sure most Gen Y'ers would say that same thing. He's helping his organizations (Jets wouldn't have even been close to the playoffs without favre), he's helping the nfl attract fans, and he's doing what he loves to do. Just like an older executive is helping his organization, their clients and customers, and if they love doing it, then why not. You shouldn't be forced out of doing something that you love and something that you're good at just because you've been doing it for a while.

Hey, if I can still do the job, and there are places that still need what I can do, NOBOBY is going to force me into retirement for any reason!